Resources for Vision Researchers

VCE Leadership in Vision Research

VCE serves as a leader in identification, prioritization, translation and implementation of vision-related research. In collaboration with established partners, VCE provides direct input on a number of DoD and VA research prioritization and support initiatives. The outputs and outcomes of these initiatives will ultimately support improved eye injury prevention and Service member and Veteran care through enhanced screening, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of ocular injuries and dysfunctions.

Vision Research Prioritization Initiatives

VCE is integrated with The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program (CRMRP) and Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) to identify emerging clinical needs and address them through directed research efforts.

• VCE leaders provide regular input on the TATRC vision research portfolio, which fosters innovative, military-relevant research in priority areas including visual dysfunction after concussive injury/TBI; protection against environmental hazards; modulating ocular response to injury; modulating ocular response to disease; ocular and visual restoration; tele-robotics and simulation; refractive surgery; and education and training.
• In 2011, VCE leaders participated in a scientific steering committee for vision research to identify and prioritize capability gaps. This meeting resulted in a ranked list of capability gaps and sub-gaps that informed recommendations for Defense Health Program (DHP) funding for fiscal year 2011 and 2012.

DoD/VA Collaborative Research Support Initiatives

Collaborative research between DoD and VA personnel presents both unique opportunities and particular considerations with regards to teaming agreements, research protocols and approval processes. To support this important work, Dr. Mary Lawrence, VCE Deputy Director; Dr. Natalya Merezhinskaya, VCE Health Research Scientist; and Ms. Helen White, Director of VCE Informatics & Information Management, contributed to the VA/DoD Collaboration Guidebook for Healthcare Research 2013. This guide provides researchers with an introduction to VA/DoD collaboration, guidance on effective identification and partnering with others with common research interests, and resources for planning and implementing collaborative projects.

VCE currently provides direct support for a number of VA/DoD vision research projects, including primary and meta-analyses of ocular dysfunction prevalence data, simulation studies of ocular disease screening and diagnosis algorithms, and exploration of the application of natural language processing algorithms to ophthalmic texts and medical dictation. For more information on these projects, please contact us.

Additional Resources for Vision Researchers

Additional information and resources for researchers in vision and vision therapy can be found at the following links:

• VA Office of Research and Development
  • VA Health Services Research & Development
  • Special Interest Group Listservs for VA Researchers
• VA Optometry Research and Development
• DoD Research & Engineering Enterprise
• DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
• National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR)
  • Vision Research Updates
  • Opportunities for Defense-Related Vision Research
  • Information Paper on the Value of Defense-Related Vision Research
  • Information Paper on the Need for Established Core DoD Vision Research Funding